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Camp One offers children opportunity to connect despite socioeconomic differences

Bill Krizner did not expect the diverse group of youngsters at Camp One in Gretna to befriend each other so quickly.

But the event in one of the poorest cities in Florida has offered an eye-opening and immensely fulfilling week of socioeconomic discussions in the community.

Camp One, a joint effort between St. Peter’s Anglican Church and A*rise ministry, allows 20 campers from low-income homes in Gretna to partner up with 20 kids from upper-middle class backgrounds from north Tallahassee at Centenary Camp in Gadsden County.

The camp setting allows the children to bond while introducing them to situations of poverty, racial conflict and division, and explore racial and socioeconomic differences.

“We’re all one despite our differences,” said Krizner, A*rise's board president. “The real focus of the week is that the kids get to learn one another’s stories and the challenges and obstacles that they all have. Some of them are common, and some of them are obviously dissimilar.”

On Wednesday, the campers held the Gretna Community Festival where attendees participated in cake walks, watermelon eating contests, footraces and other activities while enjoying music and barbecue sandwiches.

The campers, in sixth-12th grade, have been camping together from Sunday to Thursday afternoon. Dr. Gary Rolle, managing physician for Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic, former Florida State and NFL standout Corey Simon and Florida A&M basketball coach Byron Samuels all served as guest speakers this week.

Camp One counselor Porter, 19, and camper Ambernique, 14, play cards at Centenary Camp in Gadsden County this week.(Photo: Courtesy of Bill Krizner/Camp One)

During the week, the children participated in a variety of events such as prayer walks, an Olympics events day and several panel discussions.

In Sunday night’s discussion with local adults and children, Krizner said one sixth grader asked, "Why is it that some mothers don’t love their children?”

“And there was a lot of sharing. There were some sharing of abuse the adults experienced when they were kids," he added. "And it was one of the most intense sessions. It’s been a wonderful week.”

Krizner said hopes the camp will encourage the children to get outside of their bubbles to connect with others. He hopes to have the event on an annual basis.

“When you put kids together, the great thing is they have so much to teach us as adults,” Krizner said. “They just jump right in and talk openly about stories and life experiences where we have hesitation or don’t want to say something to offend another person. They were able to get into it quickly.”

Camp One participants Conner (age 13), Josh (16), and Isaac (11) enjoy a game of Connect Four this week at Centenary Camp in Gadsden County.(Photo: Courtesy of Bill Krizner/Camp One)

Krizner said the A*Rise ministry will be able to continue its local outreach in the future after recently acquiring two acres of donated land in Gretna. It intends to build the community’s first youth educational and recreational center.

Two portable buildings have already been purchased for the land, which will also have a basketball court and a baseball diamond. Krizner said the buildings will serve as a social space for activities and for after-school tutoring. The project is expected to be completed this fall, he said.